Since her remarkable debut in 2023 with Messy, Olivia Dean has been on an impressive trajectory that includes standout moments such as her unforgettable performance at Glastonbury. With multiple nominations for prestigious awards like the Mercury Prize and the BRIT Awards, she has quickly established herself as a formidable force in the music industry. Her second album, The Art of Loving, not only meets but exceeds expectations, showcasing her growth and artistry in a way that captivates listeners from start to finish.
This 12-track record is a beautiful and intentional deep dive into the dimensions of love, exploring it in all its messy, hopeful, and bittersweet forms. Dean’s signature sound is in full bloom here, featuring a masterful blend of pop, indie, and soul, elevated by lush arrangements, vibrant melodies, and sparkling horns. The album is a sonic journey that effortlessly moves from the Motown-inspired soul of “A Couple Minutes” to the breezy bossa nova rhythms of “So Easy” and the joyous, funk-laced beats of “Baby Steps.” Each track is a self-contained gem, but together they form a stunning artistic whole.
Lyrically, Dean approaches her subject with an open-book vulnerability that is both brave and disarmingly relatable. She documents the quiet anxieties of modern love on “Nice to Each Other,” playfully muses on maintaining independence in relationships, and captures the giddy rush of new romance on “So Easy.” The record is filled with honest, intimate couplets that feel like whispered confessions, such as when she sums up post-relationship feelings with the line, “Now there’s no one to text when the plane lands / or to call when it’s taking off.” This unflinching lyrical honesty is what truly grounds the album, making every emotion feel authentic and earned.
At the heart of the album is Dean herself. Her voice is the undisputed centrepiece, a truly versatile, crystalline instrument that is consistently laced with warmth and vulnerability. While the production is sometimes minimal, this intentional clarity allows every lyric to land with maximum emotional impact, particularly on the powerful ballad “Loud,” which feels like her most ambitious and vulnerable moment yet. When she leans into her stunning vocal layering and harmony, the record truly comes alive.
While the album’s wonderfully intimate tone is undeniably a core strength, it means a few tracks occasionally require a closer listen to distinguish their individual nuances. This minor quibble, however, is immediately dwarfed by the sheer brilliance of the record. The Art of Loving stands as a powerful testament to Olivia Dean’s immense talent and artistic growth, instantly placing her in the esteemed company of peers like RAYE. More than just a successful entry in her discography, this album triumphantly solidifies her status as a major pop star who has definitively arrived.
